Tennis Elbow

In this nuggety condition, the muscles of the outer part of the elbow have always traditionally been presumed to be the primary site of the problem.

However, it is well known that this condition can be extremely resistant to conventional treatment, the primary cause is often not just repetitive use of the arm but a chiropractic subluxation in the lower neck, or inter scalene triangle.

Strike out the inflammatory itis in lateral epicondylitis and write osis in its stead. Read more about why further down the page.

Thus it comes as no surprise that researchers report in a journal of hand surgery that cortico steroid injections did not affect
the apparently self limiting course of tennis elbow.

Given the known potential dangers of corticosteroid injections on
tendon strength it makes no sense to follow a course of treatment that
may at best be described as non scientific, and at worst as potentially
dangerous.

If a subluxation of the first rib or lower neck joints, such as the cervical facet syndrome is the cause of
the pain in your arm, then no amount of cortisone injections, or
physical treatment of the elbow will cure the condition.

Tennis Elbow

Chiropractic tennis elbow can only be properly addressed by first
treating any subluxations in the spine that may be irritating the spinal
nerves that serve the elbow muscles. This is primarily in the lower neck, but often there may be referred pain to the mid back and shoulder too.

Inflammatory changes have been noted in the acute stages but are
absent after a few months which is why steroid injections have no
benefit once chronic, and in fact have a significant chance of causing infection and tendon rupture.

Hence this condition is no longer called lateral epicondylitis, but epicondylosis. There is no itis or inflammation.

Is this all just exaggerated chiropractic rhetoric?

Read what Dr Jennifer Chu, professor of physical medicine and rehabilitation, university of
Pennsylvania has to say about neck and elbow pain and the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle.

Often lower neck pain is due to C5 or C6 nerve root
irritation. This can produce pain and spasm in the extensor carpi
radialis longus muscle which crosses the elbow and therefore
elbow pain is also experienced by the sufferer.

This muscle receives C5 and C6 nerve root
fibers through the radial nerve. Together with the brachioradialis and
the extensor carpi radialis brevis, it is one of the three muscles that
is known as the wad of three.

Brachioradialis

Extensor carpi radialis longus

Extensor carpi radialis brevis

These three muscles can give significant pain in the elbow commonly known as tennis elbow.

It originates from the outer aspect of the lower one
third of the upper arm bone, or humerus, and inserts into the base of the second
knuckle on the back of the hand.
Its action is to bring the wrist up as in making a fist. It can also
deviate the hand away from the mid line of the body.

This is one of the three muscles known as the wad of three and
together with the triceps, causes the common condition known as tennis
elbow.

It arises from the arm bone just above the elbow joint in the
region called the outer, or lateral, epicondyle and inserts into the base
of the third knuckle bone. It lifts the wrist and also
deviates the hand away from the trunk.

The inter scalene triangle and Thoracic Oulet syndrome

After leaving the spine, the nerve roots combine in a complex of nerves known as the brachial (meaning "arm") plexus. These nerves, together with the main artery that supplies the arm pass through a narrow passage known as the inter scalene triangle where they can be irritated by scalene muscle spasm, a first rib subluxation, cervical ribs and other more serious causes. Are you a smoker and have a cough?

If the artery is irritated it will affect the pulse in the wrist. Look up Adson's test at Chiropractic Help.

The diagnosis is made by clinical symptoms such as pain in the elbow, and
often discomfort or stiffness in the neck and shoulder. Four
orthopaedic tests are frequently used.

These tests are based on

contraction of the muscles as in shaking hands, and lifting a heavy kettle, for example.

stretching of these tendons.

Often there will be pain or tenderness when the
tendon is gently pressed near where it attaches to the upper arm bone,
on the outside of the elbow.

Here is a simple home test that you can do. With the elbow straight,
place the tip of your middle finger against the pulp your thumb. Now, does
flicking, as though firing off a paper pellet, cause
pain on the side of your arm?

Without proper treatment tennis elbow is likely to become
chronic and very difficult to eradicate; nip it in the bud. There are
few conditions I love more to treat; Mostly, it's so easy but, occasionally, a
bugger to put it succinctly.

Rest, of course, as with any sprain or strain, is an important part of the regimen. Let pain be your guide as to what you should and shouldn't be doing.

These are the symptoms of tennis elbow.

Pain and tenderness of the muscles the outer part of elbow.

Possible pain and stiffness in the neck, upper back and shoulder.

Gripping and movements of the wrist hurt,
especially extension as in lifting a heavy kettle, and twisting
movements as in using a screwdriver and even simple activities such as
lifting up a glass of beer or throwing a ball.

Extreme tenderness to the touch.

Steroids, anti inflammatories and heat treatment should be
avoided. Surgery is rarely necessary. There is no conclusive evidence
that ultrasound assists in the treatment of tennis elbow.

Chiropractic Help

The first goal is to free up any subluxations in
the neck, if any are present. This is what makes chiropractors the
pre-eminent therapists of this debilitating condition. Nerve tension
tests may be positive in the acute phase.

A second goal of treatment is to relieve pain and swelling, if present. Treatment of choice is alternating ice and heat. An ice block directly on the painful muscles in a hot shower is an ideal way. First cold, then warmth. More cold.

Cross friction of the muscles may be useful,
but should be limited to a few strokes. Personally I prefer to do it
along the length of the muscle. It may be extremely painful and increase
the inflammation if done too enthusiastically. Dry needling also may be
helpful.

Progressive strengthening exercises to rehabilitate the muscles are essential part of the regimen of treating chiropractic tennis elbow. If you love baking, kneading bread is excellent exercise for the forearm muscles. For more,
click here. HONEY BREAD ...

Rest is also necessary in the acute phase. No tennis, shaking hands with the left hand, and no lifting of beer mugs!

Strapping may help.

Love to read?

Chiropractor Bernard Preston tells of a an unnerving experience after curing a glider pilot of Tennis Elbow. Double or quits?
The Enemy Within ...

YOUR KIDS

SAFETY

GENERAL

1. Mrs B has had one of the nastiest of conditions; vertigo caused by a
disturbance in the inner ear. Falling repeatedly and vomiting she
consulted her doctor but medication didn't help. After two sessions of
the Epley manoeuvres she was 50 percent better. After two weeks she was 75
percent improved; no longer vomiting or falling. She's not enjoying the
Brandt Daroff home exercises.

2. Mr S, a 48 year old man, has right low back pain, groin pain and a numb feeling in his lower leg when he sports. For six months he's been off football. He too has two problems; a very treatable lumbar facet syndrome and a very serious blocked artery in the groin; it's called intermittent claudication. Smokers beware.

3. Mr S looks like the leaning tower of Pisa; he has a slipped disc at L5 making him lean towards the opposite side. It's called the postero lateral disc hernia; we'll fix it, but he has to stop for a week or two. Antalgias are serious so take them seriously.

4. Mrs V too has two conditions; a chronic low grade sciatica giving her an ache in the right leg, and a threatening Morton's neuroma. She's glad I'm back in Holland; chiropractic fixed it before, and we'll fix it again.

5. Mrs W is one of the lucky ones, says her doctor. I agree. He says only 40% of patients with lumbar stenosis have a successful operation. We fixed a nasty slipped disc three years ago, but it came back two years later; the surgeon did a fine job but she has a weak ankle now giving her subtalar joint pain; it's routine stuff.

6. I myself had an acute exacerbation of a femoral nerve lesion last year. One immediate treatment of the new strain by my colleague has fixed the pain in the lower back, but there's some residual numbness in the lower leg; no soaring tomorrow alas.

7. This lady is a 86 year old woman with a 63 scoliosis. Chronic lower back has been her lot in life but she's well pleased with chiropractic and comes for chiropractic help once a month; some conditions you can never cure.

8. She is an 78 year old woman, is doing remarkably well with a bad sciatica. But over 200 pounds she is not losing weight; in fact, gaining despite my suggestions. She's high risk for a stroke. I have referred her to a dietician to crack the whip.

9. A 61 year old man with upper cervical pain yesterday; it's not severe but also not getting better of its own accord. He's afraid it may turn very acute as when I treated him three years ago. Since then it's been fine.

10. A 64 year old woman has had scheuermanns disease; it's left her with a spinal kyphosis and chronic middorsal pain. She responds well to chiropractic treatment provides she come every six weeks or so for maintenance treatment.

11. Mrs C has been having severe headaches, and taking a lot of analgesics. It's a non complicated upper cervical facet syndrome, and she's doing well.

12. Mrs D, a middle aged woman with hip pain of one year duration, despite other treatment. Xrays reveal an impingement syndrome and early hip arthritis. There's much to be done.

13. Mr D, a 71 year old man, has a severe ache in the shoulder and midback
since working above his head. Trapped nerve tests are negative but he
has advanced degenerative joints of Luschka; after just two treatments
he is 50 percent better. Can we reach 90?

And so the day goes; chiropractors shouldn't be treating the elderly most medical sites state but that's so much bunkum.

Interesting questions from visitors

CLS writes:

Greetings, Dr B.You helped me quite some time back with a soothing and professional response which turned out to be exactly correct. I now consult a local chiropractor. You write a superb newsletter, too.

Knowing that up to 70% of the time the correct diagnosis is made with no examination, no special tests, no xrays, but just from the history, there's a fair chance I can add some insight to your unresolved problem. But at least 30% of the time, I may be quite wrong! Give plenty of detail if you want a sensible reply.

You visited this chiropractic help site no doubt because you have a problem that is not resolving and want to know more about what chiropractors do.

The quickest and most interesting way is to read one of my ebooks of anecdotes. Described by a reader as gems, both funny and healthful, from the life and work of a chiropractor, you'll love them. Priced right at $2.99, though Kindle fiddles the price without telling me.

1. Shoulder

It's
probably temporary inflammation of the median nerve, but of course
could be worse... I'm afraid I don't think chiropractic has anything to
offer at this stage.

Once
everything has healed up, if you don't get the strength back, or your
fingers remain numb and tingly, then I'd consult a local chiro to see if
there is also a problem in your neck or the first rib.